The first tote that got emptied!
I started my first Interim Ministry appointment yesterday with the Elmsdale Pastoral Charge. We held a combined worship service (it’s a two point charge) followed by a reception. Worship went well, with only one minor glitch. Lively conversation before worship began, during the Passing of the Peace (!) and at the reception.
Today I had my first crack at organizing my new office; I am a little hampered by waiting for the church to purchase at least one more bookcase. Even with taking an entire bookcase full of books home to my study there, there is not nearly enough shelf space.
Later in the day I had my first meeting with the Transition Team, these are the folks with whom I will be working the closest with over the next 2 1/2 years. We had some good, deep discussion and decided on a few steps and as we ‘checked out’ some of the adjectives used were: feeling positive, energized, hopeful, a way forward.
And of course, there is the regular day to day stuff of getting bulletin material to the secretary and choosing hymns… which I haven’t done yet.
A good first day!
And that’s my window on God’s world.
My Window on God's World 
Of all the folks I shook hands with on Sunday, I think I only heard “The Peace of Christ be with you” maybe 10 times; but I must also say that I only experienced one not so enthusiastic hand shake.
Yes, they were VERY animated weren’t they!
What is a Passage of Peace? Why the exclamation mark? 🙂
Passing of the Peace, a time in the service when people are supposed to share: “The Peace of Christ Be With You.” And the response, “And also with you.” Liturgically it is meant as a time to seek reconciliation with one another by sharing the peace. It’s not designed as a ‘meet and greet’ although in some congregations that is what has become.
Oh I didn’t realize it had a name, we had that growing up. We called it ‘awkwardly reaching around to see how many strangers’ hands you can shake before someone leaves you hanging’
Hahaha!
I like your version better 🙂